# NTSB CHI92FA062: Cessna 172M, N6623H, Sanford, MI, December 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1991, 13:52 local (18:52 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, MI
- Coordinates: 43.669376, -84.378997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6694&lon=-84.3790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA062

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT TO AVOID A WIRE STRIKE.  FACTORS WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED IN LOW LEVEL CRUISE FLIGHT OVER A LAKE.  IN A NARROW PORTION OF THE LAKE THE AIRCRAFT VERTICAL STABILIZER STRUCK WIRES WHICH WERE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE LAKE AT THE LOWEST POINT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN (WATER).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6623H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6623H-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 17265514, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265514
- Airframe hours: 1574
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: La Cross, Gordon D.
- Registered owner: La Cross, Gordon D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1991, 6 hours before
- Departed: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Destination: Y31, WEST BRANCH, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,181 total, 698 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 61 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911227057489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911227057489A), Dec 27, 1991: Cessna 172M, Sanford, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck wires stretched over a lake. Crashed into lake. Impact tore aircraft apart.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.